AfriPulse
Many sugarcane plantations in Kano State’s farming communities have been infested by pests, a situation that has pushed farmers in the state into a panic mode. The outbreak, which has affected farms in at least three local government areas, has destroyed many hectares of sugarcane and could cause a drastic drop in production this year.
Farmers who spoke to Weekend Trust in the affected areas described the situation as devastating, saying they only discovered the damage at harvest time.
They estimated losses from the worm attack at N2 billion, warning that many may not return to farming next season if urgent action is not taken.
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“We didn’t notice anything until we started harvesting. And by that time it was too late. The worms had eaten deep into almost every sugarcane farm in Dan Hassan, Garin Kaya, Tofa and Gamadan. We never expected the damage to be this bad,” Malam Kawu Hayi, a sugarcane farmer from Kura said.
Expectations soar as “big names” join sports federations Conventional crops not enough to meet Nigeria’s food demand – Scientist The damage has been particularly severe in Gamadan town, one of Kano’s largest sugarcane farming and trading hubs. And farmers there rely almost entirely on sugarcane for livelihood; hence many fear that the outbreak could push them into debt and joblessness.
Our correspondent who visited some of the affected communities reports that sugarcane stalks were blackened and eaten from within.
It was observed that farmers looked helplessly as some of them counted their losses, while others appealed for urgent government’s intervention.
Another farmer, Malam Isah Shu’aibu said, “This area is the biggest producer of sugarcane in northern Nigeria. We were preparing for a good harvest when the disaster struck. The worms have destroyed nearly everything. We invested everything we had, in terms of money, time and energy, but there is nothing to show for it.”
He warned that unless the outbreak is controlled, many farmers might abandon sugarcane cultivation next year for other crops, while others could quit farming entirely.
Weekend Trust reports that the impact is already spreading to markets, even as traders have reported scarcity and a sharp rise in price.
Danbaba Yunusa Dan Hassan, a major sugarcane dealer, said the market could soon run dry if nothing is done.
“From all indications, if this continues, we may soon run out of sugarcane. The situation is beyond what farmers can handle. This type of worm attack is new to us and only a coordinated response can save the situation,” he noted.
In a bid to finding a solution to the problem, farmers alerted agricultural authorities, an action that led to the deployment of extension workers to assess the situation and offer guidance.
Salisu Sa’ad, an agricultural extension officer in Kura, confirmed that his team had visited several affected farms to evaluate the situation.
“The situation is alarming and requires immediate action. We have submitted our findings and recommendations to the government and other stakeholders to help contain the spread and minimise losses,” he said.
Experts urge scientific intervention
Dr Wajiha Abdullahi Mu’az, a researcher at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), described the outbreak as a serious threat that demands an immediate response and preventive training for farmers.
She advised: “Farmers should seek expert’s guidance and apply recommended control methods carefully. They also need proper training on the safe use of chemicals to prevent misuse or over-application.”
The strange worms have continued to spread across Kano’s sugarcane belt, leaving devastated farms behind, as well as growing fear among farmers, who said one of the state’s most profitable agricultural commodities could face its toughest year.
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Source: DailyTrust | Read the Full Story…
